Method and System for Providing a Remote Shipping Cost Estimate Based on Image Data of Goods to be Shipped

Abstract

An improved method for providing a remote shipping cost estimate of goods is disclosed, the method including remotely receiving image data of a transferee's goods, obtaining a shipping cost estimate of the transferee's goods that is based on the remotely received image data, and making the shipping cost estimate available to the transferee. In preferred embodiments, image data is digital data that can be uploaded by a transferee through a user interface and received by an estimator over a computer network such as the Internet. In some preferred embodiments, the method can be computer-based, and in some embodiments it can be implemented by a software system stored on computer-readable media. This improved method adds a new level of convenience for both estimators and transferees, while also improving the efficiency of providing shipping cost estimates in general.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing a remote shipping cost estimate of a transferee's goods, the method comprising:
 remotely receiving image data of a transferee's goods;   obtaining a shipping cost estimate of the transferee's goods that is based on the remotely received image data; and   making the shipping cost estimate available to the transferee.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image data includes at least one video. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least one video is a digital video. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image data is received over a telecommunications network. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image data is received over the Internet. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image data of the transferee's goods is associated with a specific user account. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a camera is used to capture the image data. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a mobile device is used to capture the image data. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a mobile device is used to send the image data. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image data is uploaded via a graphical user interface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image data is uploaded via a web page. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the web page is operated by a party that also provides the remote shipping cost estimate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the web page is operated by a party that does not provide the remote shipping cost estimate. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote shipping cost is estimated by a moving company. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote shipping cost is estimated by a move management company. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote shipping cost is estimated by a relocation consulting company. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote shipping cost is estimated by a surveyor. 
     
     
         18 . A computer-based method for providing a remote shipping cost estimate of a transferee's goods, the method comprising:
 remotely receiving image data of a transferee's goods over a computer network, the image data being associated with a specific user account;
 obtaining a shipping cost estimate of the transferee's goods that is based on the remotely received image data, the shipping cost estimate also being associated with the specific user account; and 
 making the shipping cost estimate available to the transferee over the computer network, via the specific user account. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the image data is received through a user interface provided to the transferee over the network. 
     
     
         20 . A computer software system for providing a remote shipping cost estimate of a transferee's goods, the system having a set of instructions for controlling at least one computer device and being stored on computer-readable media, which when executed by the at least one computer device carries out a method comprising:
 remotely receiving image data of a transferee's goods;   obtaining a shipping cost estimate of the transferee's goods that is based on the remotely received image data; and   making the shipping cost estimate available to the transferee.